Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-03-26
PETES HOSS.

s'Ysnk's comm pap" and Toby
wsved long, lank arm toward the tall
blue hills, round which wound the yellow
mountain road, where the shallow stream
., knew. as "Pottses Fork" crossed and re-.
crossed like the unwinding of giant
snake.
MIR. Pott shook his head portentously
stroking his matted gray beard with
fingers yellowed and hardened by years
OF unremitting toll.
"Wal, dom reckon thars any thing
ur 'em to take; mos every thing's done
ben ct up by the boys that stopped hyar
asst" Potts paused abruptly, troubled
by sudden thought; Toby sided up
to the old man, muttering almost inaudi-
bly,:
"Pete's boss, papl yer DON think
they'd take Rod'rick, do yer?"
"They sharn'tl not if have to lose
svery drop O. blood, they sharn't take
ahet hossl" cried the old man vehement
ly.
"Mebbe they cyarn't fin him, pap
Roxy's TUX him ter the mountain geth-
erin sumac, AN Of she dom come out too
soon, they'll never know nothin' bout ii, I"
said Toby reassuringly.
The soldiers were now full in sight;
their bayonets glittering in the sun; their
blue coats darkening the yellow road
.and frightening the somber pines, and
the thud of their travel-worn feet beat
like distant drum.
As clouds of dust rise up at their ap-
preaching footsteps, swaying girlish
form is coming down the mountain, sing
ing an old, sweet hymn of freedom; in her
arms are branches of sumac turning
Grown and yellow and scarlet in the mel
low autumn sun; at her side a slender
dark bay horse, sleek and glossy as the
I pride of an Arabs heart, follows closely,
anresisting the bride swung carelessly
over her wrist Toby's heart jumps in
his Shroat and all the color fades from
Enis fsce, leaving it quite white, save the
tsan- olored freckles that cover his thin
checks.
The father and son wave their hands
III unintelligible signs-Roxy looks and
listens, and suddenly understanding
springs back into the neighboring
ahicket. Too late one of the blue coats
aspies her and leaps nhnbly otter her.
Roxy is crouching close in the shadow
'tnk "a bending pine tree and Roderick's
seyes shine like stars behind his green
wrison. ga fine horse and finer girl r.
axkeUts the soldier, grasping Roxy's
PlUnap arm.
Let me go p she screams; "let me
Re, ssyp
The others, laughing and shouting
scramble up the rocky bank, eager for
I'm adventure. They have boldly pulled
Sfhe reluctant girl from her hiding place
sand one boldly seizss Roderick's bride.
The brave horse plants his delicate hoofs
an the mans chest and sends him rolling
clown the hill: others rush at him, and,
Eaating with rage and fright, he tries in
vssain to dash past them, but they are too
sUsny for him, and, while some more
soewsrdly than the rest look from behind
Sac trees at this strange battle, others
surround him on all sides, and he stands
trembling with excitement and pain as
shey fasten the bit firmly in his sensi-
tive mouth.
Soldiers, you darn't take the boss p
cnee Abraham Potts, culver of entreaty
In his voice.
AsThat war my Pete's hoss-he raised |
'faim from colt an never lowed nobody
% tech him but himself! Oh, no, sold
isus,. take anything I've got, but don't
&sch shat hossr'
@H he's Peters horse let him take care
ut him now, laughed the soldier care